The blows kept coming. A hunger strike. New allegations of racist statements by officers. A Blue Ribbon panel accusing SFPD of being out of control and unaccountable. The Board of Supervisors having the temerity to ask non-pre-screened and non-pre-answered questions of the Mayor of San Francisco in the board meeting about the police. More protests. More press conferences. More hearings full of angry people.
And suddenly it had an effect.
Today, May 11th, 2016, in late morning, Board of Supervisors member Jane Kim (one of eleven on the board) said San Francisco needed a new police chief.
A few hours later, Supervisors Campos and Avalos did the same.
And not long after a fourth joined them, Supervisor Eric Mar.
That’s four of the six progressive members of he Board of Supervisors. They have no power to get rid of the Chief of Police — only the Mayor or the Police Review Commission can do that (or he could resign).
Nonetheless, this is a rather stunning development which can only lead to more pressure and continued protests.